Apparatus for use with a jack for leveling a modular home

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use with a jacking device utilized in leveling modular type homes at a job site which includes an elongated tubular type member having a first predetermined length and a first predetermined shape and is formed from a first preselected material. An end cap member is engageable at a first end thereof with a bottom end of the elongated tubular member which has a predetermined configuration at a second end thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jack. The end cap member is formed from a second preselected material. Finally, there is a top plate member engageable with an upper end of such elongated tubular member for supporting a predetermined structural member attached too such modular type home. The top plate member includes each of a second predetermined length and a second predetermined shape and is formed from a third preselected material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to jacks used for levelingmodular homes and, more particularly, this invention relates to anapparatus for use with such jacks which can be handled by a singleperson when leveling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the prior art, in order to provide reasonably pricedhousing home builders have gone to modular type homes which can bemanufactured in a factory, transported to a home site in pieces andthereafter erected. Obviously, such modular type homes must be leveledat the job site which requires considerable skill.

To perform this leveling job requires the use of jacks which arerelatively heavy due to the fact they are required to lift quite heavyloads. The jacks in use prior to the present invention required morethan one person to handle which, as would be expected, adds to the laborcost that must be passed on to the home owner.

Even more importantly, because of the added weight it can addsignificantly to the potential for back and/or other type injuries tothe workers who must handle these heavy jacks. Due to such injuries asis well known the cost of premiums for workman's compensation insuranceis higher which in turn adds to the overall building cost when this costis passed on to the home owner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for use with a jacking meansutilized in leveling modular type homes at a job site. Such apparatusincludes an elongated tubular type member having each of a firstpredetermined length and a first predetermined shape. The elongatedtubular type member is formed from a first preselected material. Thereis an end cap member engageable at a first end thereof with a bottom endof such elongated tubular type member. The end cap member has apredetermined configuration at a second end thereof to enable engagementwith an upper portion of a jack. Further the end cap member is formedfrom a second preselected material. The final essential component forthe apparatus is a top plate member engageable with an upper end of suchelongated tubular type member for supporting a predetermined structuralmember attached too such modular type home. Such top plate memberincludes each of a second predetermined length and a secondpredetermined shape and is formed from a third preselected material.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular typehomes at a job site which can be handled and used by a single person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus foruse with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site whichis relatively light weight when compared to prior art type jacks usedfor this purpose.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job sitewhich will substantially minimize injuries to workers due to liftingheavy jacks.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job sitewhich is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job sitewhich will lower the construction cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus foruse with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site whichcan be readily broken down into a number of parts for ease oftransporting between such job sites.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at ajob site which includes a handle to assist in carrying the apparatus toand from the job site.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job sitewhich can be produced from a variety of materials.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at ajob site which can be manufactured into a number of different heights.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at ajob site which can be readily adjusted in length as necessary forparticular conditions encountered at different job sites.

In addition to the numerous objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been specifically described above, it should benoted that various other objects and advantages of the instant inventionwill become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled inthe relevant art from the following more detailed description of theinvention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, whichillustrates a presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus for usewith a jack used in leveling modular type homes;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an end cap for the apparatus for usewith a jack used in leveling modular type homes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a handle for the apparatus for use with a jackused in leveling modular type homes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a top plate for the apparatus for use with ajack used in leveling modular type homes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the top plate illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is bottom view of the top plate illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of the top plate illustrated in FIG. 4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention, it should be noted that. for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawings.

Now refer, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-7. Illustrated therein is apresently preferred embodiment of an apparatus, generally designated 10,for use with a jacking means (not shown) utilized in leveling a modulartype home (not shown) at a preselected job site.

This apparatus 10 includes an elongated tubular type member, generallydesignated 20, having each of a first predetermined length and a firstpredetermined shape. The elongated tubular type member 20 is formed froma first preselected material which will exhibit a strength at leastsufficient to support the load to be exerted on it by such modular typehome.

Apparatus 10 further includes an end cap member, generally designated30, which is engageable at a first end thereof 12 with a bottom end 14of the elongated tubular type member 20. The end cap member 30 has apredetermined configuration at a second end 16 thereof to enableengagement with an upper portion of the jacking means. Such end capmember 30 is formed from a second preselected material.

In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, such endcap member 30 is removable from such bottom end 14 of the elongatedtubular type member 20 and the elongated tubular type member 20 includesan aperture 28 formed through a side wall portion disposed closelyadjacent such bottom end 14 thereof.

In this embodiment it is further preferred that such end cap member 30include a means, generally designated 50, which is engageable within theaperture 28 formed through such side wall portion disposed closelyadjacent the bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20 forretaining such end cap member 30 in the bottom end 14 of the elongatedtubular type member 20.

Such means 50 engageable within the aperture 28 formed through such sidewall portion disposed closely adjacent the bottom end 14 of theelongated tubular type member 20 for retaining the end cap member 30 insuch bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20 is one of arod like member (not shown) and a plunger 32. It is presently preferredthat such means 50 is a spring loaded plunger 32.

The final essential component of the apparatus 10 is a top plate member,generally designated 40, which is engageable with an upper end 22 of theelongated tubular type member 20 for supporting a predeterminedstructural member (not shown) attached too such modular type home. Thetop plate member 40 includes each of a second predetermined length and asecond predetermined shape. Additionally, the top plate member 40 isformed from a third preselected material.

In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, such topplate member 40 is removable from the upper end 22 of such elongatedtubular type member 20. Preferably, in order to make the top platemember 40 removable the elongated tubular type member 20 includes anaperture 34 formed through a side wall portion thereof disposed closelyadjacent the upper end 22 thereof. Additionally, such top plate member40 includes another means 50 engageable within such aperture 34 formedthrough the side wall portion disposed closely adjacent such upper end22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining the top platemember 40 in such upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20.

As discussed above, it is preferred that the means 50 engageable withinthe aperture 34 formed through such side wall portion disposed closelyadjacent the upper end 22 of such elongated tubular type member 20 forretaining the top plate member 40 in such upper end 22 of the elongatedtubular type member 20 is one of a rod like member and a plunger 32.

it is most preferred that such means 50 engageable within such aperture34 formed through the side wall portion disposed closely adjacent theupper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining suchtop plate member 40 in such upper end 22 of the elongated tubular typemember 20 is a spring loaded type plunger 32.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such apparatus10 further includes a handle member 24 having a third predeterminedshape attached to the elongated tubular type member 20 intermediate eachend 14 and 22 thereof. The handle member 24 is attached to suchelongated tubular type member 20 intermediate each end 14 and 22 thereofby one of welding, clamps and screws. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thepresently preferred attachment means is clamps 26.

In the presently preferred embodiments of the invention of the apparatus10, such first preselected material, second preselected material andthird preselected material will be selected from the group consisting ofmetals and engineered plastics and combinations thereof. The presentlypreferred metals are metals selected from the group consisting of lightweight steel and aluminum. Regardless of the material selected, althoughnot limited thereto, it is preferred that such first preselectedmaterial, such second preselected material and such third preselectedmaterial will be substantially identical.

Although the first predetermined shape of such elongated tubular typemember 20 may be almost any geometric shape it presently preferred thatsuch first predetermined shape of such elongated tubular type member 20will be selected from the group consisting of cylindrical andrectangular. The most preferred first predetermined shape for such firstpredetermined shape of such elongated tubular type member 20 will becylindrical.

It is also presently preferred that the predetermined configuration ofsuch end cap member 30 at a second end 36 thereof to enable engagementwith an upper portion of a jacking means includes a cavity 38.

Finally, it is presently preferred that the second predetermined shapeof such top plate member 40 includes a channel shaped portion 42disposed normal to such elongated tubular type member 20.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferredand various alternative embodiments of the present invention have beedescribed in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in therelevant art to make and use the same, it should be understood thatvarious other modifications and alterations can be made to the apparatuswithout departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scopeof the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for use with a jacking means utilized inleveling modular type homes at a job site, said apparatus comprising:(a) an elongated tubular type member having each of a firstpredetermined length and a first predetermined shape, said elongatedtubular type member formed from a first preselected material; (b) an endcap member engageable at a first end thereof with a bottom end of saidelongated tubular type member, said end cap member having apredetermined configuration at a second end thereof to enable engagementwith an upper portion of a jack, said end cap member formed from asecond preselected material; and (c) a top plate member engageable withan upper end of said elongated tubular type member for supporting apredetermined structural member attached too such modular type home,said top plate member having each of a second predetermined length and asecond predetermined shape, said top plate member formed from a thirdpreselected material.
 2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, whereinsaid apparatus further includes a handle member having a thirdpredetermined shape attached to said elongated tubular type memberintermediate each end thereof.
 3. An apparatus, according to claim 2,wherein said handle member is attached to said elongated tubular typemember intermediate each end thereof by one of welding, clamps andscrews.
 4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said end capmember is removable from said bottom end of said elongated tubular typemember.
 5. An apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said elongatedtubular type member includes an aperture formed through a side wallportion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end thereof.
 6. Anapparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said end cap member includes ameans engageable within said aperture formed through said side wallportion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end of said elongatedtubular type member for retaining said end cap member in said bottom endof said elongated tubular type member.
 7. An apparatus, according toclaim 6, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formedthrough said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said bottom endof said elongated tubular type member for retaining said end cap memberin said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member is one of a rodlike member and a plunger.
 8. An apparatus, according to claim 7,wherein said means engageable within said aperture formed through saidside wall portion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end of saidelongated tubular type member for retaining said end cap member in saidbottom end of said elongated tubular type member is a spring loadedplunger.
 9. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said top platemember is removable from said upper end of said elongated tubular typemember.
 10. An apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said elongatedtubular type member includes an aperture formed through a side wallportion disposed closely adjacent said upper end thereof.
 11. Anapparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said top plate member includesa means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wallportion disposed closely adjacent said upper end of said elongatedtubular type member for retaining said top plate member in said upperend of said elongated tubular type member.
 12. An apparatus, accordingto claim 11, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formedthrough said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said upper endof said elongated tubular type member for retaining said top platemember in said upper end of said elongated tubular type member is one ofa rod like member and a plunger.
 13. An apparatus, according to claim12, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formed throughsaid side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said upper end of saidelongated tubular type member for retaining said top plate member insaid upper end of said elongated tubular type member is a spring loadedplunger.
 14. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said firstpreselected material, said second preselected material and said thirdpreselected material are selected from the group consisting of metalsand engineered plastics and combinations thereof.
 15. An apparatus,according to claim 14, wherein said first preselected material, saidsecond preselected material and said third preselected material aremetals selected from the group consisting of light weight steel andaluminum.
 16. An apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said firstpreselected material, said second preselected material and said thirdpreselected material are substantially identical.
 17. An apparatus,according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape of saidelongated tubular type member is selected from the group consisting ofcylindrical and rectangular.
 18. An apparatus, according to claim 17,wherein said first predetermined shape of said elongated tubular typemember is cylindrical.
 19. An apparatus, according to claim 1, whereinsaid predetermined configuration of said end cap member at a second endthereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jack includes acavity.
 20. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said secondpredetermined shape of said top plate member includes a channel shapedportion disposed normal to said elongated tubular type member.